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FWC to host meeting on largemouth bass length

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed management change for largemouth bass.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 22, at the FWC South Regional Office, 8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach. An open house will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 7 p.m.

Participants will be encouraged to provide input on the proposal for a statewide five-fish daily bag limit, only one of which could be 16 inches total length or longer. The proposed regulation will eliminate the need for many of the special regulations that exist around the state. The proposed changes won’t affect the current tournament exemption process.

Those who attend will be able to hear from freshwater fisheries biologists about the science behind managing bass fisheries. Biologists will give a presentation on the development of this proposal. The meeting is open to the public, and largemouth bass anglers are encouraged to attend and participate in a question- and- answer session.

To learn more about largemouth bass and the FWC’s current regulations, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing, and click on the “Black Bass Management” photo link, or select the “Regulations” links under “Freshwater Fishing.”

FWC Facts:Florida panthers often meticulously cache, or cover, their prey with leaves, grass and sticks. This helps prevent competitors and scavengers from finding and stealing their food.

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2016 Agency Regulatory Plan.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing..